'The Golden Age' resonates with readers

Joan London's The Golden Age really impressed our readers. When some of our readers realised it was a novel set  in the Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home in Perth, they were preparing themselves for a rather bleak read but were rather pleasantly surprised by the light touch used to tell the tale. Readers spoke of the deft way the author wove the stories of the various characters together. People were impressed with the array of characters, the way they were introduced and the way they came to life with a brief sketch of their character and background. Others spoke of the light but respectful way the author handled such a potentially depressing topic.

There was mention that another group had considered Sister Olive Penny's behaviour as being rather implausible for that era but this group boisterously refuted this notion. Rather they believed that this behaviour was indulged in but rather more clandestinely in past times than today.

Readers found the ending a little abrupt and a little strange but in many ways satisfying. There seemed to be a general consensus that Frank's relationship with Elsa was indeed 'The Golden Age' and as such it was a relationship that transcended mere earthly sex. Much hilarity and tangential discussion followed this concept.

Our book club membership stretches across several generations and this span meant there were different experiences of  'polio'. Some remember taking the pink oral sabin on sugar cubes while other younger members have never experienced the vaccine. Some knew of family members or friends who bore some paralysis from polio. One of our members has a medical background and was able to inform the group of what the eradication of polio actually means and why after a polio-free period it is counterproductive to distribute the polio vaccine which is why children today do not receive it. Sister Kenny's role in treating polio patients was mentioned as was the 'iron-lung' and the group found out more as to when, how and why this machine was used and the role it played in the survival of so many polio patients.

A couple of our time-poor members had not finished the novel but the rest of the group were certainly positively impressed by the novel. They seemed to think that a difficult topic had been handled sensitively and well. They enjoyed the array of characters and their stories and the overall telling of the tale. They appreciated how each character was travelling their own difficult road but somehow the Golden Age Children's Polio Convalescent Home provided them all with an opportunity to glow if not shine.

Our next book club selection features the word 'golden' as well but the subject matter is somewhat more tarnished.

We will meet on Thursday 3 December at 6.00pm at the Mackay City Library Community Venue Room to discuss Sonya Hartnett's Golden Boys.